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Effect of Tamoxifen on Stromal Protein Synthesis in the Human Prostate^*

Mercy Hospital and Medical Center San Diego, California 92103 The Departments of Obstetrics-Gynecology and Physiology, Medical College of Ohio Toledo, Ohio 43699

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Jack Geller, Department of Internal Medicine, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, 4077 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, California 92103.

To test the hypothesis that estrogen may have significant biological effects on the human prostate, we studied the effects of in vivo administration of tamoxifen, an antiestrogen, on human prostatic stromal protein synthesis in vitro. This was done by measuring [³H]proline incorporation in vitro in stromal cells separated enzymatically with 0.5% collagenase and trypsin from hypertrophic prostatic tissue removed at surgery. A mechanical method for separation of epithelium and stroma was attempted, but cell damage resulted in very low incorporation of [³H]proline into protein. Twelve patients were given 20 mg tamoxifen twice daily for 10 days before surgery. The serum levels of tamoxifen at the time of surgery ranged from 200–500 pmol/ml. Control tissues (14) were obtained from untreated patients. Tamoxifen decreased stromal protein synthesis, as measured by counts per min/mg protein, to approximately one third of that found in control patients (control mean, 102,428; tamoxifen-treated mean, 34,111; P < 0.01). These results support the concept that estrogen has a significant role in the regulation of stromal protein synthesis and the pathophysiology of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

^* This work was supported by NIH Grant 1-RO-1-AG-02776-01A1.

Received February 16, 1984.